In an earlier post, I mentioned that trouble was brewing for Carolina Kostner who may have helped an ex-boyfriend avoid a doping test. Recently, it has been revealed that Carolina has been banned from competition for 16 months but according news sources (here and here), she will be appealing the decision in the Court for Arbitration for Sport.

The ban ends on May 15, 2016 but it does not prevent Carolina from participating in skating shows. Theoretically, it also means that Carolina could compete at the 2018 Pyeongcheng Olympics, though whether she wants to or would be competitive enough to win a medal is a completely different question. Overall, other than being a detriment to her brand and image, I don’t think this ban will affect Carolina’s career or ladies’ figure skating too much. Still, I hope the truth comes out and everything is resolved for the sake of sportsmanship.

So last season, I followed a conversation on Twitter between the Fine Bros, some YouTubers I’m a big fan of and makers of Kids React to/Teens React to/Elders React to/YouTubers React to, and Gracie Gold.

I subscribe the the FineBros on YouTube so I’ve been following their videos to see if Gracie will ever appear on their show. But today, this came out…

It looks like Gracie will appear not on a show on their YouTube channel but on their TV show. Gracie Gold continues to be a media darling. It’s the start of the Olympic cycle but if she can produce results, she’s on her way to being the gold medal hope that the Americans have been waiting for.

~The Rinkside Cafe

P.S. Since I mention Twitter in this post, please follow me on Twitter @RinksideCafe for live tweets and updates on when my posts come out!

A recent news story has come to light that may have far reaching consequences for Olympic bronze medalist, Carolina Kostner. Kostner’s ex-boyfriend, Alex Schwazer, tested positive in a doping test and the skater faces a 4 year 3 month ban for allegedly helping him avoid a drug test.

The ban in itself is more damaging in terms of her endorsements as Carolina is unlikely to compete internationally again but it is also unclear if she will be retroactively banned and stripped of her medals. For the sake of her accomplishments, I hope that she didn’t do anything bad. Doping is a serious offense in the sporting world and we must remember that a representative for all athletes make this oath in the opening ceremony at the Olympics:

‘In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.’

For more information on this story, check out the article from CBC and NBC Sports.